Related Articles

Its beautiful land is one of Ireland's best-known attractions, and if you're planning a vacation anywhere on the Emerald Isle you're likely to see some wonderful scenery. That said, some routes are particularly attractive, and approaching them as a series of circuits --- perhaps alternating between car trips and boat or rail journeys --- will ensure that you make the most of your time in Ireland.

Antrim Coast Road

If you have access to a car, the Antrim coast road is a must-see. The road winds its way around the coast of County Antrim from just outside Belfast to Ballycastle, passing through small coastal villages and revealing spectacular landscapes. Stop to visit 800-year-old Carrickfergus Castle overlooking Belfast Lough, before continuing around the coast to the busy port of Larne and eventually arriving at the quaint fishing villages of Glenariff, Cushendall and Cushendun. On a clear day, look out for glimpses of Scotland on the other side of the Irish Sea, or turn inland to explore the sweeping landscapes of the Glens of Antrim. At Ballycastle, explore the ruins of the 15th-century Bonamargy Friary on the edge of the town, or take the ferry across to Rathlin Island to see puffins, guillemots and kittiwakes at the Seabird Centre.

Coleraine to Derry Railway Journey

Michael Palin, star of the BBC's "Palin's Travels" describes the coastal train route between Coleraine and Derry as "one of the most beautiful rail journeys in the world," and it certainly packs a lot into 45 minutes. Board the train in the bustling market town of Coleraine and in a few minutes you'll find yourself looking out at the river Bann as it reaches the sea. As you approach the seaside town of Castlerock, the train passes through the two longest railway tunnels in Ireland, but the most-spectacular sights wait on the other side. On one side you'll see cliffs towering above the track, while on the other side waves rush in off the Atlantic Ocean onto the long sandy beaches at Benone. Turning into the Foyle estuary, look out for views of the old walled city of Derry standing in a bend in the river.

Lough Erne and The River Shannon By Boat

The Shannon-Erne waterway is the longest navigable waterway in Ireland and offers an opportunity to see the west of Ireland landscape from a different perspective. Start at Lough Erne in County Fermanagh, perhaps with a visit to the site of a 6th-century monastery on Devenish Island, before moving on to the Shannon-Erne waterway. This 38-mile stretch of 19th-century canal reopened after extensive renovation in 1994. Arriving at Carrick-on-Shannon you also meet the River Shannon, Ireland's longest river, which is navigable as far south as Lough Derg and the town of Killaloe in County Clare. En route you'll pass through a largely unspoiled rural landscape, so look out for native wildlife, including the famous Shannon salmon.

The Ring of Kerry

The Ring of Kerry is one of Ireland's most rewarding driving routes. The 179-mile circular route begins and ends at Killarney and much of its length lies in the Killarney National Park (killarneynationalpark.ie). Along the way you'll see some stunning scenery and learn about Ireland's history. Drive through the Gap of Dunloe, a mountain pass in the McGillycuddy's Reeks, Ireland's highest mountains, and take in the view as the mountains sweep down to Killarney Lake. Visit the Old Barracks Heritage Centre at Cahersiveen (theoldbarracks.com) to gain an insight into the area's history and call at Muckross House (muckross-house.ie) to see how the wealthy Anglo-Irish lived. Bear in mind that parts of the route around the Ring of Kerry are quite narrow, and Ring of Kerry Tourism caution that it's much easier to drive the route counterclockwise than clockwise.

About the Author

Rita Kennedy is a writer and researcher based in the United Kingdom. She began writing in 2002 and her work has appeared in several academic journals including "Memory Studies," the "Journal of Historical Geography" and the "Local Historian." She holds a Ph.D. in history and an honours degree in geography from the University of Ulster.